How to gain 13 pounds of muscle and lose 13 pounds of fat in eight weeks

Dillon, a 22 year old Division 2 college football player, has gained 13 pounds of muscle and lose 13 pounds of fat in just 8 weeks. During that time, his strength improved drastically also. For example, on our testing day Dillon was able to bench press 300 pounds for one rep and 225 pounds for 11 reps. Eight weeks later he did 300 for five reps and 225 for 21!

During the eight weeks, he followed a basic version of my "Insulin Control Diet" and supplemented with fish oil and whey protein. Here is the first phase of the workout plan I implemented with Dillon:

Monday, Weeks 1-3: Upper Body Speed Strength

A) Paused Bench Press with Chains - 8 x 3 (8 sets of 3) with 45 second rest interval (RI)

Week 1: 185 + 120 in chains

Week 2: 205 + 120 in chains

Week 3: 225 + 120 in chains

B1) DB Push Press - 5 x AMRAP in 10 seconds, 10 sec RI

B2) Speed Row (DB Row with maximum "body english") - 5 x 30, 1 minute RI

C) DB Muscle Snatch (a dynamic external rotation) - 4 x 15, 45 second RI

D) Bench Press Chain Drop Set - 1 x 5-5-5-5-5-5 (5 reps each with 5 chains, 4 chains, 3 chains, 2 chains, 1 chain, and no chains)

Tuesday, Weeks 1-3: Lower Body Speed Strength

A) Box Squat with Chains - 8 x 3, 45 sec. RI

Week One: 185 + 200 in chains

Week Two: 205 + 200 in chains

Week Three: 225 + 200 in chains

B1) Bulgarian Split Squat - 4 x 8 each leg, 10 sec RI

B2) Hamstring Lean - 4 x 3-5 10 second eccentrics, 10 sec RI

B3) Sprinter Sit-up - 4 x 20-30, 3 min RI

C) Metabolic Rhythm Squats - 2 x 50, 2 minute RI

Week One: 225

Week Two: 275

Week Three: 315

Thursday, Weeks 1-3: Upper Body Limit Strength

A) Incline Log Press from Pins - work up to a 5 rep max(RM) week 1, a 3 RM week 2, and a 1 RM week 3, 5 minute RI

Week One: 230 x 5

Week Two: 255 x 3

Week Three: 280 x 1

B1) Wide Pronated Pull-downs - 4 x 10, 0 second RI

B2) Medium Pronated Pull-downs - 4 x 10, 0 second RI

B3) Close, Supinated Pull-downs - 4 x AMRAP, 3 minute RI

C1) One and a Quarter DB Overhead Press - 3 x 8, 0 second RI

C2) Arnold Press - 3 x 8, 0 second RI

C3) DB Overhead Press - 3 x AMRAP, 3 min RI

D) Rolling Triceps Extensions - 8 x 8, 1 min RI

Friday, Weeks 1-3: Strongman Conditioning

A) Tire Flips - As many flips as possible in 15 minutes

B) Log Complex I - 5 x 5, 1 minute RI

C) Prowler Push - 1 x 60 yards, 1 x 40 yards, 1 x 20 yards, 1 x 60 yards, 1 minute RI

Sunday, Weeks 1-3: Speed Work

Various mobility, agility, and speed drills. Sample workout video here: